Cartridge for storing an electrode pad and methods for using and making the cartridge

ABSTRACT

A cartridge is provided for storing one or more electrode pads such as a defibrillator electrode pad. The cartridge includes a housing having a rigid portion, a storage space disposed within the housing, and a storage-space opening that allows one to remove/insert the electrode pad or pads from/into the storage space. Because it has a housing with a rigid portion, such a cartridge can better protect one or more electrode pads from handling damage. Furthermore, one can construct the cartridge such that it is attachable to a medical device such as an AED. This allows an operator to carry or store the medical device, cartridge, and one or more electrode pads as a single unit. In addition, one can construct the cartridge such that the one or more electrode pads can be pre-connected to the medical device. This can eliminate connecting the one or more electrode pads to the medical device during an emergency.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The invention relates generally to electrode pads, and more particularly to a cartridge for storing one or more electrode pads of a medical device such as an automatic or semi-automatic external defibrillator (AED). In one embodiment of the invention, at least a portion of the cartridge is rigid so that the cartridge protects the one or more electrode pads from damage caused, e.g., by jostling and crushing.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] AEDs have saved many lives in non-hospital settings and, as a result of advances in AED technology, the number of lives saved per year is rising. Typically, an AED analyzes a patient's heart rhythm and instructs an operator to administer an electrical shock to the patient if appropriate. For example, a shock can often revive a patient who is experiencing ventricular fibrillation (VF). Because older models of defibrillators include only basic diagnostic and safety features, they are often difficult to operate. Therefore, only specially trained persons such as emergency medical technicians (EMTs) can use these older models to administer shocks to patients. Newer models, however, often include advanced diagnostic and safety features that allow minimally trained persons to administer shocks to patients. Consequently, more people are using AEDs to save lives.

[0005] Minimizing time to AED deployment is critical. Once a person goes into sudden cardiac arrest, every minute counts. An AED operator should be able to set up and use an AED to shock a patient within seconds after the operator arrives at the scene. Statistically, for each minute that a person is in cardiac arrest, his/her chance of survival decreases by 10%. And in most cases, there is no chance for resuscitation after 10 minutes. And, even in the best of circumstances, it can take a few minutes to retrieve the AED and a few additional minutes for the AED to diagnose and shock the patient. Therefore, even if the patient is discovered immediately, the operator often has little time to attach the defibrillator electrode pads to the patient, connect the pads to the AED, and activate the AED without further decreasing the patient's chance of survival. Clearly, the faster the operator can set up and activate the AED, the better the chances that the patient will survive.

[0006]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional AED system 10, which includes an AED 12 for generating a shock and which includes defibrillator electrode pads 14 a and 14 b for providing the shock to a patient (not shown in FIG. 1). A connector 16 couples the electrode pads 14 a and 14 b to a receptacle 18 of the AED 12. Typically, the electrode pads 14 a and 14 b are sealed within a flexible, i.e., soft, package (not shown in FIG. 1) that an operator (hands shown in FIG. 1) tears or peels open to access the electrode pads. The package acts as a moisture barrier that prevents the electrode-pad contact gel (not shown) from drying out during storage of the electrode pads 14 a and 14 b. Because it is not affected by moisture loss, the connector 16 need not be—but can be—sealed within the package.

[0007] The AED 12 may include a battery 20 for supplying power, a main on/off key switch 22, a display 24 for displaying operator instructions, cardiac waveforms, or other information, a speaker 26 for providing audible operator instructions, an AED status indicator 28, and a shock button 30, which the operator presses to deliver a shock to the patient. The AED 12 may also include a microphone 32 for recording the operator's voice and other audible sounds that occur during the rescue, and a data card 34 for storing these sounds along with the patient's ECG and a record of AED events for later study.

[0008] Still referring to FIG. 1, during an emergency where it is determined that the patient may need a shock, the operator retrieves the AED 12 and installs the battery 20 if it is not already installed. Next, the operator removes the electrode pads 14 a and 14 b from the protective package and inserts the connector 16 into the receptacle 18. Then, the operator turns the on/off switch 22 to the “on” position to activate the AED 12. Following the instructions displayed on the display 24 or “spoken” via the speaker 26, the operator places the electrode pads 14 a and 14 b on the patient in the respective positions shown in the pictures on the electrode pads and on the AED 12. After the operator places the electrode pads 14 a and 14 b on the patient, the AED 12 analyzes the patient's ECG to determine whether the patient is suffering from a shockable heart rhythm. If the AED 12 determines that the patient is suffering from a shockable heart rhythm, then it instructs the operator to depress the shock button 30 to deliver a shock to the patient. Conversely, if the AED 12 determines that the patient is not suffering from a shockable heart rhythm, it informs the operator to seek appropriate non-shock treatment for the patient. Furthermore, if the AED 12 determines that the patient is not suffering from a shockable heart rhythm, then it often disables the shock button 30 such that even if the operator presses the button 30, the AED 12 does not shock the patient.

[0009] Unfortunately, the soft package that contains the electrode pads 14 a and 14 b may delay the operator in setting up and activating the AED 12. Although the package protects the electrode pads 14 a and 14 b from moisture loss, it may fail to protect the electrode pads from shipping or handling damage caused by dropping, jostling, or crushing. Therefore, after the operator connects the electrode pads 14 a and 14 b to the AED 12—this step is unnecessary if the pads are preconnected—and opens the electrode-pad package, he/she may discover that the electrode pads are too damaged for use. Unfortunately, this damage to the electrode pads may delay the setting up and activation of the AED 12 because now the operator must disconnect and discard the damaged electrode pads, and retrieve, connect, and unpackage a new set of electrode pads.

[0010] Consequently, there is a need for a package that protects an electrode pad or electrode pads such as AED electrode pads from shipping and handling damage as well as from moisture loss. There is also a need for a system that eliminates the step of connecting an electrode pad or electrode pads such as AED electrode pads to a medical device such as an AED during an emergency.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] A cartridge is provided for storing one or more electrode pads such as a defibrillator electrode pad. The cartridge includes a housing having a rigid portion, a storage space disposed within the housing, and a storage-space opening that allows one to remove/insert the electrode pad or electrode pads from/into the storage space.

[0012] Because it has a housing with a rigid portion, such a cartridge can better protect one or more electrode pads from shipping and handling damage. Furthermore, one can construct the cartridge such that it is attachable to a medical device such as an AED. This allows an operator to carry or store the medical device, cartridge, and one or more electrode pads as a single unit. In addition, one can construct the cartridge such that the one or more electrode pads can be pre-connected to the medical device. This can eliminate connecting the one or more electrode pads to the medical device during an emergency or when the medical-device operator is otherwise in a hurry. Furthermore, with pre-connected electrodes, the device can perform tests on the electrodes to ensure they are viable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional AED system.

[0014]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an AED system according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0015]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cartridge assembly of FIG. 2 having an electrode-pad connector according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0016]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the cartridge assembly of FIG. 2 having an electrode-pad connector according to another embodiment of the invention.

[0017]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the cartridge assembly of FIG. 2 having a seal according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0018]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the cartridge assembly of FIG. 2 having a seal according to another embodiment of the invention.

[0019]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the cartridge assembly of FIG. 2 having a seal according to another embodiment of the invention.

[0020]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the cartridge assembly of FIG. 7 having a sliding lid according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0021]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the cartridge assembly of FIG. 2 where the electrode-pads are sealed to the sides of the cartridge according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0022]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the cartridge assembly of FIG. 2 where the electrode-pads are sealed within a soft package according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0023]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a smart cartridge connector and receptacle according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0024]FIG. 12 is a block diagram of an AED circuit that the AED of FIG. 2 incorporates according to an embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] The following discussion is presented to enable a person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. Various modifications to the preferred embodiment will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiment shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.

[0026]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an AED system 40, which includes a cartridge assembly 42 and an AED 44 according to an embodiment of the invention. For clarity, like numerals refer to elements common to the system 40 and the system 10 of FIG. 1. Furthermore, although the cartridge assembly 42 is discussed as including a pair of AED electrode pads 14 a and 14 b, the assembly 42 may include more or fewer electrode pads 14. In addition, although the cartridge assembly 42 is discussed as part of the AED system 40, the assembly 42 or a similar cartridge assembly can be used with other medical devices or systems such as a heart monitor (not shown). Thus, the electrode pads can be electrode pads suitable for defibrillation, monitoring cardioversion, pacing, or a combination thereof.

[0027] The cartridge assembly 42 includes electrode pads 14 a and 14 b and includes a rigid cartridge 46, which can protect the electrode pads 14 a and 14 b from handling damage better than a conventional soft package (not shown in FIG. 2) can. Furthermore, one can attach the cartridge 46 to the AED 44 so that he/she can carry or store the AED system 40 as a single unit, i.e., in one piece. In addition, in some embodiments the electrode pads 14 a and 14 b are attached to the cartridge 46 such that attaching the cartridge to the AED 44 also electrically connects the electrode pads to the AED 44. Thus, this simultaneous cartridge/pad connection often facilitates connecting the electrode pads 14 a and 14 b to the AED 44, and also facilitates deployment of the electrode pads during emergency usage of the AED system 40.

[0028] More specifically, the cartridge assembly 42 includes the cartridge 46 for storing the pads 14 a and 14 b. In one embodiment, the cartridge 46 has a rigid bottom, i.e., tray 48, rigid side walls 50 a-50 d, and a rigid lid 52, which is hinged to the side wall 50 a with one or more hinges 53. The cartridge 46 may also include a conventional latch mechanism (not shown) for latching the lid 52 to one or more of the side walls 50 a-50 d. The tray 48, side walls 50 a-50 d, and the lid 52 can be formed from plastic or another rigid material. But in another embodiment, not all portions of the cartridge 46 are rigid. For example, only the tray 48 or the lid 52 may be rigid. Alternatively, the rigid portions of the cartridge 46 may be formed from a rigid framework such as the framework from which a milk crate is formed. The cartridge 46 might include an electrode-pad connector 54, which extends through the side wall 50 a, helps secure the cartridge 46 to the AED 44, and electrically connects the electrode pads 14 a and 14 b to the AED 44 via electrode-pad wire leads 56 a and 56 b. The leads 56 a and 56 b are typically attached to the connector 54 via soldering, crimping or another conventional bonding technique. Although shown as a male connector, the connector 54 may be a female connector.

[0029] The AED 44 is similar to the AED 12 of FIG. 1 except that it includes a receptacle 58 and a connector 60 for respectively receiving the cartridge 46 and the connector 54. In an embodiment where not all portions of the cartridge 46 are rigid, the receptacle 58—which is typically formed as part of the rigid housing of the AED 44—may afford protection to the electrode pads 14 a and 14 b when the cartridge 46 is installed therein. Furthermore, although shown as a female connector, the connector 60 may be a male connector. In addition, although omitted from FIG. 2 for clarity, the AED 44 may include the on/off switch 22 and the display 24 of FIG. 1. But to accommodate the receptacle 58 and the connector 60, the locations of the switch 22 and the display 24 may be different from their respective locations on the AED 12.

[0030] In another embodiment, the AED 44 includes Velcro® strips (not shown) for attaching the cartridge 46 to the AED 44. In this embodiment, the receptacle 58 or the connectors 54 and 60 may be omitted. Alternatively, other techniques can be used for attaching the cartridge 46 to the AED 44.

[0031] Still referring to FIG. 2, the operation of the AED system 40 is discussed according to an embodiment of the invention. During an emergency where it is determined that a patient (not shown) may need a shock, the operator (hand shown in FIG. 2) retrieves the AED 44 and installs the battery 20 if it is not already installed. Next, the operator inserts the connector 54 into the connector 60, and thus inserts the cartridge 46 into the receptacle 58, if the cartridge 46 is not already installed. Then, the operator opens the lid 52 and removes the electrode pads 14 a and 14 b from the cartridge 46. Next, the operator activates the AED 44, and in response to displayed or spoken instructions, places the electrode pads 14 a and 14 b on the patient. The AED 44 then analyzes the patient's ECG to determine whether the patient is suffering from a shockable heart rhythm. If the AED 44 determines that the patient is suffering from a shockable heart rhythm, then it instructs the operator to depress the shock button 30. Conversely, if the AED 44 determines that the patient is not suffering from a shockable heart rhythm, it informs the operator to seek appropriate non-shock treatment for the patient and disables the shock button 30. After the operator has treated the patient, he/she removes the cartridge 46 from the receptacle 58 and inserts a new cartridge with new pads inside into the receptacle 58. In one embodiment, the AED 44 sounds a reminder if the operator does not install a new cartridge within a predetermined time of removing the cartridge 46, and continues to sound the reminder until a new cartridge is installed. Thus, with a new cartridge installed, the AED 44 is ready for its next use. Alternatively, one may wait until the next use of the AED 44 to install a new cartridge.

[0032]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cartridge assembly 42 of FIG. 2 according to another embodiment of the invention. The assembly 42 of FIG. 3 is similar to the assembly 42 of FIG. 2 except that the cartridge 46 of FIG. 3 includes a conventional sensor 62—e.g., optical, mechanical, electrical—for indicating to the AED 44 (FIG. 2) whether the lid 52 is open or closed. The sensor 62 typically communicates with the AED 44 via the connector 54, but may employ other communication techniques such as optical or wireless communications. If the lid 52 is open while the AED system 40 (FIG. 2) is not being used, the AED 44 may periodically sound a reminder until one closes the lid. Alternatively, the AED 44 may use the sensor 62 to ensure that the lid 52 is closed during testing of the pads 14 a and 14 b. For example, the AED 44 may run a continuity test to ensure that the electrode pads 14 a and 14 b are properly connected to the AED 44 before an operator (not shown in FIG. 3) attaches them to a patient (not shown). Specifically, the electrode pads 14 a and 14 b may be packaged within the cartridge 46 such that they are electrically coupled to each other. The AED 44 drives the connector 60 (FIG. 2) with a test signal. If a current flows—the arrows show the direction of the current flow—into the connector 60, through the connector 54, the electrode pad 14 a, and the electrode pad 14 b, and back out from the connector 60, then the AED 44 determines that the electrode pads 14 a and 14 b—and thus the connector 54 and cartridge 46—are properly connected to the AED 44. Because the test may fail if the operator removes the electrode pads 14 a and 14 b from the cartridge 46, the AED 44 may display or sound a warning if the lid 52 is open, and may halt the test until the operator closes the lid. Alternately, the AED 44 may use the sensor 62 to insure that once the lid 52 has been opened, and the cartridge seal compromised, the user replaces the cartridge 46.

[0033]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the cartridge assembly 42 of FIG. 2 according to another embodiment of the invention. The assembly 42 of FIG. 4 is similar to the assembly 42 of FIG. 2 except that an electrode-pad connector 64 connects the electrode pads 14 a and 14 b to the connector 54. Consequently, the connector 64 allows an operator (not shown in FIG. 4) to easily connect/disconnect the electrode pads 14 a and 14 b to/from the cartridge 46. For example, assume that the AED 44 (FIG. 2) is intended for use by an unskilled operator who initially uses the AED 44 to revive a patient (not shown). When a paramedic (not shown) arrives, he/she may want to use a multifunctional defibrillator (not shown) such as a CodeMaster 100 manufactured by Agilent Technologies, to revive the patient. If the electrode pads 14 a and 14 b are hardwired to the connector 54 as in FIGS. 2 and 3, then the paramedic typically removes the electrode pads 14 a and 14 b from the patient, attaches new electrode pads to the patient, and connects the new electrode pads to the multifunctional defibrillator. Conversely, if the electrode pads 14 a and 14 b are connected to the connector 64, then the paramedic can merely unplug the connector 64 from the connector 54, and then plug the connector 64 into the multifunctional defibrillator without removing the electrode pads from the patient. This reduces the time it takes the paramedic to set up and use the multifunctional defibrillator on the patient.

[0034]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an open cartridge 46 of FIG. 2, which would be sealed according to an embodiment of the invention. For clarity, the hinges 53 and the connector 54 are omitted from FIG. 5. The electrode pads 14 a and 14 b have a contact gel (not shown) that provides electrical conduction between a patient (not shown) and the electrode pads. If the electrode pads 14 a and 14 b are not properly sealed while packaged and stored, the gel may dry out. This reduces the electrical conduction between the electrode pads and the patient, and thus renders the electrode pads unusable. Therefore, the electrode pads 14 a and 14 b are typically sealed within the cartridge 46 to insure viability of the gel for a predetermined period, e.g., one year. Specifically, the outer edges 66 of the lid 52 are hermetically sealed to the respective upper edges 68 of the side walls 50 a-50 d. This hermetically sealed cartridge, which includes the tray 48, side walls 50 a-50 d, and lid 52 provide a moisture barrier sufficient to maintain the viability of the electrode-pad contact gel for the predetermined period. To break the hermetic seal and to gain access to the electrode pads 14 a and 14 b, one merely opens the lid 52. Materials that provide a sufficient moisture barrier and from which one may form the tray 48, side walls 50 a-50 d, and lid 52 are conventional and might include polymer resins such as polypropylene, polyethylene, or cyclic olefin co-polymer, such as Topas®, which is produced by Ticona.

[0035]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an open cartridge 46 of FIG. 5, which is sealed according to another embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, a sheet of material 70 is hermetically sealed to the edges 68 of the side walls 50 a-50 d. Together, the hermetic seal, tray 48, side walls 50 a-50 d, and material 70 provide a moisture barrier sufficient to maintain the viability of the electrode-pad contact gel for the predetermined period. To break the hermetic seal and to gain access to the electrode pads 14 a and 14 b, one merely opens the lid 52 and peels off the material 70. In one embodiment, the material 70 is transparent to allow the operator to see if the electrode pads 14 a and 14 b are appropriate for a patient (not shown) before removing the material 70. For example, if the electrode pads 14 a and 14 b are adult pads and the patient is an adult, then the electrode pads are appropriate for the patient. Conversely, if the electrode pads 14 a and 14 b are adult pads and the patient is a child, then the electrode pads are inappropriate for the patient. Thus, if the electrode pads 14 a and 14 b are inappropriate, they remain sealed and can be later used on another patient. Materials that provide a sufficient moisture barrier and from which one may form the sheet 70 include polypropylene, polyethylene, Topas®, Aclar®, which is produced by Honeywell, partially metallic clear film like the anti-static film used to package static-sensitive semiconductor components, and a metal foil film.

[0036]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the cartridge 46 of FIG. 6, which is sealed according to another embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the sheet of material 70 is hermetically sealed to the lid 52 and to the edges 68 of the side walls 50 a-50 d. Together, the seal, tray 48, side walls 50 a-50 d, and material 70 provide a moisture barrier sufficient to maintain the viability of the electrode-pad contact gel for the predetermined period. The lid 52 also contributes to the moisture barrier, particularly if the material 70 is sealed to the edges 66 of the lid 52. In one embodiment, the seal between the material 70 and the lid 52 is stronger than the seals between the material 70 and the side-wall edges 68. This causes the material to peel away from the side-wall edges 68 and continue sticking to the lid 52 when one opens the lid to break the seal and gain access to the electrode pads 14 a and 14 b. This keeps the material 70 from “floating” around and potentially interfering with the rescue operation. Alternatively, the seal between the material 70 and the lid 52 may be weaker than the seals between the material 70 and the side-wall edges 68. This causes the material to remain attached to the side-wall edges 68 when one opens the lid 52. One then peels away the material 70 as discussed above in conjunction with FIG. 6 to break the seal and gain access to the electrode pads 14 a and 14 b.

[0037] Referring to FIGS. 6-7, in another embodiment, a first sheet of material 70 lines the interior of the cartridge 46 and overhangs the edges 68 of the side walls 50 a-50 d, and a second sheet of material 70 lines the inner side of the lid 52 and overhangs the edges 66 of the lid 52. These two sheets 70 are hermetically or otherwise sealed together along the respective overhanging edges to form a moisture barrier for the electrode pads 14 a and 14 b stored in the cartridge 46. One opens the cartridge by opening the lid and detaching the top sheet 70 from the bottom sheet 70. Alternatively, one can tear the top sheet 70 open, or the top sheet 70 can be attached to the inner side of the lid 52 such that opening the lid 52 detaches the top sheet 70 from the bottom sheet 70.

[0038]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the cartridge 46 of FIG. 6, which is sealed with the sheet 70 as discussed above in conjunction with FIG. 6 but which includes a sliding lid 72 instead of the hinged lid 52 (FIG. 6).

[0039]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the cartridge 46 of FIG. 5 where the electrode pads 14 a and 14 b are sealed to the cartridge according to an embodiment of the invention. The conductive side of the electrode pad 14 a faces and is hermetically sealed to the inside of the lid 52. Together, the lid 52, the metal layer of the electrode pad 14 a and the adhesive on the dielectric layer 74 provide a moisture barrier sufficient to maintain the viability of the electrode-pad contact gel for the predetermined period. Similarly, the conductive side of the electrode pad 14 b faces and is hermetically sealed to the inside of the tray 48 such that the tray 48, the metal layer of the electrode-pad 14 b, and the adhesive on the dielectric layer 74 b provide a moisture barrier sufficient to maintain the viability of the electrode-pad contact gel for the predetermined period. Therefore, one peels the electrode pads 14 a and 14 b from the lid 52 and the tray 48, respectively, and then attaches them to the patient (not shown). Consequently, the adhesive that seals the electrode pads 14 a and 14 b to the lid 52 and the tray 48 may help hold the electrode pads to the patient. Suitable materials for the pad dielectrics 74 a and 74 b may include polypropylene, polyethylene, Topas®, Aclar®, partially metallic film, and a metal foil film.

[0040]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the cartridge 46 of FIG. 5 where the electrode pads 14 a and 14 b (not shown in FIG. 10) are sealed within the cartridge according to an embodiment of the invention. The electrode pads 14 a and 14 b are sealed within a conventional soft package 76, which is stored inside the cartridge 46. The sealed soft package provides a moisture barrier sufficient to maintain the viability of the electrode-pad contact gel for a predetermined period. Alternatively, the cartridge 46 can be sealed as discussed above in conjunction with FIGS. 5-8 to enhance the moisture barrier or to provide a back-up moisture barrier in the event that the seal of the package 76 fails. To gain access to the electrode pads 14 a and 14 b, one opens the lid 52 of the cartridge 46 and removes and opens the package 76. He/she can then attach the electrode pads 14 a and 14 b to the patient (not shown). Suitable materials for the package 76 include polypropylene, polyethylene, Topas®, Aclar®, partially metallic film, and a metal foil film.

[0041] Referring to FIGS. 2-10, one may form the cartridge 46 using conventional manufacturing techniques.

[0042] In one embodiment, the cartridge 46 is injection molded. For example, the tray 48, side walls 50 a-50 d, and connector 54 can be molded as a first integral piece and the lid 52 molded as a second piece, which is later attached to the side wall 50 a with the hinges 53. Alternatively, the tray 48, side walls 50 a-50 d, lid 52, and connector 54 can be molded as a single piece with a membrane (not shown) acting as a hinge between the side wall 50 d and the lid 52. Or, one can position a preformed hinge 53, connector 54, or other component such as a printed-circuit board (not shown) into the mold (not shown), and then inject the cartridge-forming material into the mold such that the preformed hinge 53, connector 54, or other component becomes embedded in the cartridge 46. As discussed above in conjunction with FIG. 5, suitable cartridge-forming materials include plastics such as polypropylene, polyethylene, or Topas®. Alternatively, one may mold the cartridge 46 from a softer, more resilient material such as rubber such that the cartridge 46 is less likely to suffer damage if it is dropped, stepped on, or otherwise jostled.

[0043] In another embodiment, the tray 48 and the side walls 50 a-50 d may be thermoformed. Thermoforming entails heating a sheet of material such as plastic to its softening point. A vacuum and/or pressure is applied to the softened material and it is formed into the shape of the lidless cartridge 46. One may form the lid 52 by injection molding or other conventional manufacturing technique. Although thermoforming is often less expensive than injection molding, one cannot easily insert preformed components, such as the connector 54, through the walls of the cartridge 46.

[0044] Still referring to FIGS. 2-10, one can use other manufacturing techniques to form the cartridge 46, such as metal injection molding, injection blow molding, compression molding, or die casting.

[0045]FIG. 11 is a partial perspective view of a “smart” cartridge 80 and a compatible AED 82, which respectively include a “smart” connector 84 and a reading connector 86 according to an embodiment of the invention. The connector 84 provides information to the AED 82, and the connector 86 receives the connector 84 and reads the provided information. For example, the connector 84 may indicate the type of electrode pads 14 a and 14 b (not shown in FIG. 11) contained within the cartridge 80. The AED 82 determines the type of electrode pads that are contained within the cartridge. It can then communicate this information to the user of the AED (with voice or visual prompts). Consequently, the ability of the AED 82 to determine the electrode-pad type prevents the patient from receiving potentially dangerous or ineffective treatment caused by the use of improper electrode pads, and assists an unskilled operator who may not know whether the electrode pads within the cartridge 80 are the proper type.

[0046] More specifically, the connector 84 codes the desired information using any one of a number of conventional coding techniques. In the illustrated embodiment, the connector 84 includes two sets 88 a and 88 b of two optical windows 90 a and 91 a and 90 b and 91 b, respectively. The windows 90 a and 91 a within the set 88 a and the windows 90 b and 91 b within the set 88 b may be transparent or opaque. Therefore, the sets 88 a and 88 b act as two bits that can code up to four states: 1) both sets transparent, 2) 88 a transparent and 88 b opaque, 3) 88 a opaque and 88 b transparent, and 4) both sets opaque. For example, state 1) may indicate that the cartridge 80 contains adult pads, state 2) may indicate that the cartridge 80 contains pediatric pads, and states 3) and 4) may be unused.

[0047] The connector 86 decodes the information provided by the connector 84. In the illustrated embodiment, the connector 86 includes two optical generator/sensor pairs 92 a and 92 b, which each include a respective optical-signal generator 94 a and 94 b, such as a photodiode, and an optical sensor 96 a and 96 b. The generators 94 a and 94 b generate respective optical beams 98 a and 98 b. While the connector 84 is within the connector 86, if the windows 90 a and 91 a of the set 88 a are transparent, then the optical beam 98 a propagates through the windows 90 a and 91 a, and, consequently, the sensor 96 a senses the beam 98 a. Conversely, if the windows 90 a and 91 a are opaque, then the optical beam 98 a does not propagate through the windows 90 a and 91 a, and, consequently, the sensor 96 a does not sense the beam 98 a. One can make the same analysis for the windows 90 b and 91 b of the set 88 b, the sensor 96 b, and the beam 98 b. Therefore, the connector 86 recognizes the above states 1)-4) as follows: 1) both sensors 96 a and 96 b respectively receive the beams 98 a and 98 b, 2) the sensor 96 a receives the beam 98 a, the sensor 96 b does not receive the beam 98 b, 3) the sensor 96 a does not receive the beam 98 a, the sensor 96 b receives the beam 98 b, and 4) both sensors 96 a and 96 b respectively do not receive the beams 98 a and 98 b. The AED 82 can then take a preprogrammed course of action in response to the decoded state.

[0048] Still referring to FIG. 11 during an emergency where it is determined that a patient may need a shock, the operator retrieves the AED 82 and inserts the connector 84 into the connector 86 if the cartridge 80 is not already installed in the AED 82. Then the operator conventionally enters the type of patient—adult or child for example—into the AED 82. In response to the information coded by the connector 84 and decoded by the connector 86, the AED 82 determines whether the cartridge 80 contains the appropriate electrode pads for the patient. If the AED 82 determines that the cartridge 80 does contain the appropriate pads, then it instructs the operator to continue with the rescue effort. If the AED 82 determines that the cartridge 80 does not contain the appropriate electrode pads, then it instructs the operator to remove the cartridge 80 and to install another cartridge that contains the appropriate electrode pads. The AED 82 may disable the shock button 30 (FIG. 2) until the operator installs a cartridge containing the appropriate pads.

[0049] Although they are described as respectively coding and decoding information optically, the connectors 84 and 86 may use other conventional coding and decoding techniques. For example, a protrusion 99 may code information that the connector 86 can decode. Examples of other such techniques are disclosed in U.S. patent app. Ser. No. 09/574,688, entitled “Smart Medical Connector System and Method of Use,” filed May 17, 2000, which is incorporated by reference.

[0050]FIG. 12 is a block diagram of an AED circuit 100, which the AED 44 of FIG. 2 or the AED 82 of FIG. 11 can incorporate according to an embodiment of the invention. The electrode pads 14 a and 14 b are coupled to the circuit 100 via the connectors 84 and 86—or the connectors 54 and 60 (FIG. 2) if the circuit 100 is unable to interpret information from a smart cartridge—and are operable to sense a patient's ECG and to apply an electrical shock to the patient. A shock-delivery-and-ECG front-end circuit 102 samples the patient's ECG during an analysis mode of operation and provides a shock to the patient via the connectors 84 and 86 and the electrode pads 14 a and 14 b during a shock-delivery mode of operation. A gate array 104 receives the ECG samples from the circuit 102 and provides them to a processor unit (PU) 106, which stores and analyzes the samples. If analysis of the patient's ECG indicates that the patient is suffering from a shockable heart rhythm, then the processor unit 106 instructs the circuit 102 via the gate array 104 to enable delivery of a shock to the patient when an operator (not shown in FIG. 12) presses the shock button 30. Conversely, if analysis of the patient's ECG indicates that the patient is not suffering from a shockable heart rhythm, then the processor unit 106 effectively disables the shock button 30 by preventing the circuit 102 from delivering a shock to the patient when the operator presses the shock button.

[0051] Still referring to FIG. 12, the circuit 100 includes a power-management circuit 108 for distributing power from the battery 20 to the subcircuits of the circuit 100. The on/off switch 22 turns the circuit 100 “on” and “off”, a status circuit 112 indicates the status of the circuit 100, and a gate array 114 interfaces the power-management circuit 108, the on/off circuit 22, and the status circuit 112 to the circuit 102, the processor unit 106, and the gate array 104. As discussed above in conjunction with FIG. 1, the AED 44 may include a display 24, which presents information to an operator, a speaker 26, which may provide audio instructions to the operator, and a microphone 32, which may record the operator's voice and other audible sounds. The data card 32 is connected to the gate array 104 via a port 118. The card 116 may store the operator's voice and other sounds along with the patient's ECG and a record of AED events for later study. A status-measurement circuit 120 provides the status of the circuit 100 subcircuits to the processor unit 106, and LEDs 122 provide information to the operator such as whether the processor unit 106 has enabled the circuit 102 to deliver a shock to the patient. A contrast button 124 allows the operator to control the contrast of the display screen 24 if present, and a memory such as a read only memory (ROM) 126 stores programming information for the processor unit 106 and the gate arrays 104 and 114.

[0052] The AED circuit 100 and other AED circuits are further discussed in the following references, which are incorporated by reference: U.S. Pat. No. 5,836,993, U.S. Pat. No. 5,735,879 entitled ELECTROTHERAPY METHOD AND APPARATUS, U.S. Pat. No. 5,607,454 entitled ELECTROTHERAPY METHOD AND APPARATUS, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,879,374 entitled DEFIBRILLATOR WITH SELF-TEST FEATURES. 

What is claimed:
 1. A cartridge for storing an electrode pad, the cartridge comprising: a housing having a rigid portion; a storage space disposed within the housing; and a storage-space opening operable to allow removal of the electrode pad from the storage space and insertion of the electrode pad into the storage space.
 2. The cartridge of claim 1 wherein the rigid portion comprises plastic.
 3. The cartridge of claim 1 wherein the rigid portion comprises rubber.
 4. The cartridge of claim 1 wherein the rigid portion comprises metal.
 5. The cartridge of claim 1 wherein the rigid portion comprises ceramic.
 6. The cartridge of claim 1 wherein the housing comprises: a rigid tray having edges; and rigid side walls attached to the edges of the tray.
 7. The cartridge of claim 1 comprising a lid operable to cover the storage-space opening.
 8. The cartridge of claim 1 comprising a sheet of film operable to cover the storage-space opening.
 9. The cartridge of claim 1 comprising a lid and a sheet of film operable to cover the storage-space opening.
 10. The cartridge of claim 1 comprising a removable lid operable to cover the storage-space opening.
 11. The cartridge of claim 1 wherein: the housing comprises, a rigid tray having edges, and rigid side walls having first edges respectively attached to the edges of the tray and having second edges respectively opposite the first edges, the tray and side walls defining the storage space, the second edges of the side walls defining the storage-space opening; and wherein the cartridge further comprises, a rigid lid, and a hinge coupled to the lid and to the second edge of one of the side walls.
 12. The cartridge of claim 1, further comprising an electrode-pad connector that extends through the housing, that has a first end disposed outside of the housing and operable to connect to a medical device, and that has a second end disposed within the storage space and operable to connect to the electrode pad.
 13. The cartridge of claim 1, further comprising: a lid operable to cover the storage-space opening; and a sensor coupled to the housing and operable to indicate whether the lid is in an opened or closed position.
 14. The cartridge of claim 1, further comprising: a cover operable to cover the storage-space opening; and a sensor coupled to the housing and operable to indicate whether the cover is in an opened position.
 15. The cartridge of claim 1 wherein the housing is attachable to a medical device.
 16. The cartridge of claim 1 wherein the housing is attachable to a defibrillator.
 17. A cartridge for storing an electrode pad, the cartridge comprising: a housing having an interior and an exterior; a storage space disposed within the interior of the housing; a storage-space opening operable to allow removal of the electrode pad from the storage space and insertion of the electrode pad into the storage space; and an information provider disposed on the housing.
 18. The cartridge of claim 17 wherein the information provider comprises a protrusion.
 19. The cartridge of claim 17 wherein the information provider comprises an optical information provider.
 20. The cartridge of claim 17 wherein the information provider is operable to identify a type of electrode pad that the storage space is operable to store.
 21. The cartridge of claim 17 wherein the information provider is disposed on the exterior of the housing.
 22. A cartridge system, comprising: a cartridge having a rigid portion, a cartridge interior, and a cartridge opening; an electrode pad disposed in the interior and operable to be removed from the cartridge via the cartridge opening; and a moisture barrier attached to the cartridge and sealing the cartridge opening.
 23. The cartridge system of claim 22 wherein: the cartridge comprises a housing and a lid attached to the housing; and the moisture barrier is attached to the lid and to the housing and is operable to detach from the housing when the lid is moved from a closed position toward an opened position.
 24. The cartridge system of claim 22 wherein the cartridge comprises a housing and a lid that is slidably attachable to the housing.
 25. The cartridge system of claim 22 wherein the moisture barrier is hermetically sealed to the cartridge.
 26. The cartridge system of claim 22 wherein the electrode pad comprises a defibrillator electrode pad.
 27. The cartridge system of claim 22 wherein the electrode pad comprises a monitor electrode pad.
 28. The cartridge system of claim 22, further comprising a plurality of electrode pads disposed in the interior and operable to be removed from the cartridge via the cartridge opening.
 29. A cartridge system, comprising: a cartridge having a first rigid portion; a first electrode pad attached to the first rigid portion; and a first moisture barrier that seals the first electrode pad against the first rigid portion.
 30. The cartridge system of claim 29 wherein the first rigid portion of the cartridge comprises a lid.
 31. The cartridge system of claim 29 wherein: the cartridge has an interior; and the first electrode pad is disposed within the interior.
 32. The cartridge system of claim 29 wherein: the cartridge comprises a second rigid portion; and the cartridge system further comprises, a second electrode pad attached to the second rigid portion, and a second moisture barrier that seals the second electrode pad against the second rigid portion.
 33. A cartridge system, comprising: a cartridge having a rigid portion, a cartridge interior, and a cartridge opening; an electrode pad disposable in the interior and operable to be removed from the cartridge via the cartridge opening; and a moisture barrier that seals the electrode pad.
 34. The cartridge system of claim 33 wherein the moisture barrier is attached to the cartridge.
 35. A cartridge system, comprising: a cartridge having an interior and having a cartridge connector with a first end disposed in the interior and a second end disposed external to the cartridge; and an electrode pad disposable in the interior and operable to be coupled to the first end of the connector.
 36. The cartridge system of claim 35, further comprising an electrode-pad wire having a first end coupled to the electrode pad and having a second end coupled to the first end of the connector.
 37. The cartridge system of claim 35, further comprising: an electrode-pad wire having a first end coupled to the electrode pad and having a second end; an electrode-pad connector having a first end coupled to the second end of the electrode-pad wire and having a second end that is operable to be coupled to the first end of the cartridge connector.
 38. A defibrillator system, comprising: a defibrillator; and a cartridge attachable to the defibrillator and operable to store a defibrillator electrode pad, the cartridge having a rigid portion.
 39. The defibrillator system of claim 38 wherein the defibrillator comprises an automatic or semiautomatic external defibrillator.
 40. The defibrillator system of claim 38 wherein the defibrillator includes a receptacle operable to receive the cartridge.
 41. The defibrillator system of claim 38 wherein the cartridge comprises: a rigid tray; and rigid side walls attached to the tray.
 42. The defibrillator system of claim 38 wherein the cartridge comprises: a rigid tray; rigid side walls attached to the tray; and a lid attached to the side walls opposite to the tray.
 43. The defibrillator system of claim 38 wherein: the defibrillator comprises a first defibrillator-electrode-pad connector; and the cartridge comprises a second defibrillator-electrode-pad connector that is operable to mate with the first defibrillator-electrode-pad connector.
 44. The defibrillator system of claim 38 wherein the cartridge includes an opening operable to allow a defibrillator-electrode-pad wire to extend from inside the cartridge to the defibrillator.
 45. The defibrillator system of claim 38 wherein the defibrillator is operable to detect whether the cartridge is attached or unattached to the defibrillator.
 46. The defibrillator system of claim 38 wherein the defibrillator is operable to detect whether the cartridge is open or closed.
 47. The defibrillator system of claim 38 wherein: the cartridge has a lid; and the defibrillator is operable to detect whether the lid is in an opened or in a closed position.
 48. The defibrillator system of claim 38, further comprising a defibrillator electrode pad that is storable within the cartridge.
 49. The defibrillator system of claim 38, further comprising: a defibrillator electrode pad that is storable within the cartridge and having predetermined characteristics; wherein the cartridge includes an information provider; and wherein the defibrillator is operable to determine the characteristics of the defibrillator electrode pad from the information provider.
 50. A method, comprising: detaching a first cartridge from a medical device, the cartridge having a rigid portion and operable to store a first electrode pad; and attaching a second cartridge to the medical device after removing the first cartridge, the second cartridge having a rigid portion and operable to store a second electrode pad.
 51. The method of claim 50 wherein: the detaching comprises removing the first cartridge from a cartridge receptacle of the medical device; and the attaching comprises installing the second cartridge in the receptacle.
 52. The method of claim 50 wherein: the detaching comprises uncoupling an electrode-pad connector of the first cartridge from an electrode-pad connector of the medical device; and the attaching comprises coupling an electrode-pad connector of the second cartridge to the electrode-pad connector of the medical device.
 53. The method of claim 50, further comprising instructing an operator to attach the second cartridge to the medical device after the detaching of the first cartridge.
 54. The method of claim 50, further comprising the following steps before detaching the first cartridge from the medical device: removing an electrode pad from the first cartridge; and attaching the electrode pad to a patient.
 55. The method of claim 50, further comprising the following steps after attaching the second cartridge to the medical device: removing an electrode pad from the second cartridge; and attaching the electrode pad to a patient.
 56. The method of claim 50 wherein: the medical device comprises a defibrillator; and the first and second electrode pads respectively comprise first and second defibrillator electrode pads.
 57. A method, comprising: sensing whether an electrode-pad-storage cartridge attached to a medical device is open; and generating an indicator signal if the cartridge is open.
 58. The method of claim 57 wherein generating the indicator signal comprises notifying a user to replace the cartridge until the cartridge is removed and replaced.
 59. The method of claim 57, further comprising disabling a testing capability of the medical device if the cartridge is open.
 60. A method, comprising: sensing whether an electrode-pad-storage cartridge is attached to a medical device; and generating an indicator signal if the cartridge is attached to the medical device.
 61. The method of claim 57, further comprising disabling a testing capability of the medical device if the cartridge is not attached to the medical device.
 62. A method, comprising: testing an electrode pad that is disposed in a cartridge attached to a medical device; sensing whether the cartridge is open; and halting the testing if the cartridge is open.
 63. The method of claim 62, further comprising resuming the testing when the cartridge is closed.
 64. The method of claim 62 wherein: the electrode pad comprises a defibrillator electrode pad; and the medical device comprises a defibrillator.
 65. A method, comprising: testing the electrical properties of a pair of electrode pads connected to and disposed within a cartridge that is connected to a medical device; and determining whether the pads are suitable for use based on the results of the testing.
 66. The method of claim 65, further comprising: sensing whether the cartridge is open; and halting the testing if the cartridge is open.
 67. The method of claim 65, further comprising: wherein the electrode pads comprise defibrillator electrode pads; and wherein the medical device comprises a defibrillator.
 68. The method of claim 65, further comprising: sensing whether the cartridge is open; halting the testing if the cartridge is open; and resuming the testing when the cartridge is closed.
 69. The method of claim 65, further comprising: sensing whether the cartridge is open; halting the testing if the cartridge is open; and alerting a user to replace the cartridge if the cartridge is open.
 70. A method, comprising: forming an electrode-pad cartridge having a rigid portion; and forming a an electrode-pad-medical-device coupler in the cartridge.
 71. The method of claim 70 wherein forming the cartridge and the coupler comprise injecting a material into a mold.
 72. The method of claim 70 wherein: forming the cartridge comprises using an injection-molding process; and forming the coupler comprises inserting a connector into a mold before injecting cartridge-forming material into the mold.
 73. The method of claim 70 wherein forming the cartridge comprises using a thermoforming process.
 74. The method of claim 70 wherein forming the coupler comprises installing or bonding a connector in the cartridge.
 75. The method of claim 70 wherein forming the coupler comprises forming an opening in the cartridge.
 76. The method of claim 70, further comprising storing an electrode pad in the formed cartridge.
 77. The method of claim 70, further comprising: storing an electrode pad in the formed cartridge; and connecting the electrode pad to the coupler.
 78. The method of claim 70, further comprising sealing an electrode pad in the formed cartridge.
 79. The method of claim 70 wherein forming the cartridge comprises: forming a rigid tray; and forming rigid side walls attached to the tray.
 80. The method of claim 70 wherein forming the cartridge comprises: forming a rigid tray; forming rigid side walls attached to the tray; and forming a rigid lid attached to the side walls.
 81. The method of claim 70 wherein forming the cartridge comprises: forming a rigid tray; forming rigid side walls attached to the tray; forming a rigid lid; and hinging the lid to one of the side walls.
 82. A method, comprising: forming an electrode-pad cartridge having a rigid portion; and storing an electrode pad in the cartridge.
 83. The method of claim 70 wherein storing the electrode pad comprises sealing the electrode pad in the cartridge.
 84. A method, comprising: attaching a connector of a cartridge to a medical device, the cartridge operable to store an electrode pad, attached connector coupling the electrode pad to the medical device; and using the medical device a significant time after attaching the connector to the medical device.
 85. The method of claim 84 wherein: the medical device comprises a defibrillator; and using the medical device comprises using the defibrillator to monitor, pace, cardiovert, or shock a patient. 